My eyes widen, and I momentarily forget about packing when Jenny drops the juicy gossip about my new boss.
"...Lee Know's engaged?!"
I don't normally read trashy tabloids, but I can't help scanning through the article, starting with the full-page Photograph of his fiancée.
Star Gossip
Here's the scoop, hot off the presses!
Insider sources tell us Lee Min-ho and old flame Sofia Russo, pictured below, are officially tying the knot this summer!
Friends close to the could say they've been enjoying their time together as the 'it' couple of the business world, attending many red carpet events side by side...
And now it's time to take their relationship to the next level in what some are calling 'a huge surprise'!
We reached out to the happy couple, but they declined our request for comment. Maybe they're still prepping their 'official' announcement, but until then...you can read all about it here at the Star!
Written by Hansol Choi
"(Y/N), are you okay?"
"This sucks! I could've sworn I felt a connection between us, but...maybe it was my imagination."
"You should confront him."
"Over what? This all but confirms nothing happened. Let's just focus on packing."
I start aggressively wrapping fragile items in bubble paper, telling myself it's fine and I don't really care. So what if he's engaged? It's none of my business. But deep down, my heart says differently.
Later that morning, I return to the Lee residence to find a congenial older man waiting for me in the lobby. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ms. (YLN). I'm Carter, the Lee family driver. I'll be at your service today to assist with your move."
"Wow, I've never had my own personal driver before."
Carter smiles and hoists several of my bags. He leads me across the lobby and up to the penthouse. "I hope you enjoy it here. Mr. Lee spoke highly of you this morning. Said he feels you're the perfect addition to this family."
"Thanks, Carter. I really appreciate that."
Carter gives me a nod before leaving. I take a deep breath and try to clear my head of the engagement drama as I unpack. I've just picked up some of my lingerie when I hear a knock. Lee Know peeks his head through the open door with a smile.
"I trust you're settling in okay?"
"Lee Know! I didn't expect to see you until later!"
I'm suddenly acutely aware of the delicate clothing still in my grasp. I smirk at him, running the delicate silk through my fingers 'absentmindedly' as I talk to him.
"Oh, I'm settling in just fine..."
Lee Know's eyes linger on my hands before sliding back up to my face... He clears his throat.
"...Good, good. Glad to hear it." Lee Know shakes himself from his reverie when I finally drop the lingerie into a drawer.
"I hate to do this to you at the last minute, but I was called in to handle an emergency at the office. Can you watch the boys today?"
An 'emergency', huh? I wonder if it has to do with his engagement leaking to the press... "I hope it's nothing too serious..."
"Just a little PR nightmare to start the weekend. Nothing I can't handle."
"Oh yeah? I find it hard to picture anything you can't...handle."
"Oh? Have you been picturing me a lot?"
I try to ignore the blood rushing to my cheeks as visions of my dream come flooding back again. More than I should be that's for sure. I take a deep breath and give Lee Know a careful smile.
"Wouldn't you like to know? But I can definitely look after the boys today. Whatever you need."
You're a lifesaver. Now, I have some basic rules... No pillow fights in the master bedroom. No 'experiments' after dinner. No Toaster Tarts, ever. You'll thank me for that one. Oh, and never take the subway. Carter will drive you anywhere you need to go."
"Wow, those rules are...strict, I mean, no Toaster Tarts? Those were like, my favorite food when I was seven, and I turned out alright."
"Be that as it may--"
Just then, a loud commotion breaks out in the kitchen! Lee Know and I share a look before rushing off to investigate together. We enter the kitchen to find it covered in splatters of milk, cereal, and soda. The sticky liquid drips from every surface, and somehow, it's already gotten on me.
"Oh, boys..."
"We did the pop rocks experiment with Soda a few days ago, and I said I thought milk might explode too!" Mickey exclaims.
"But...pop rocks don't actually explode in milk, do they?" I chuckle in curiosity.
"Well, no. We had one bowl of milk and one bowl of soda..." Mason explains.
"And one with milk and cereal!"
"Right, because what's an experiment without a control?" Lee Know adds with a playful chuckle.
"No control? That sounds worthless. Without a control group, you don't know how to interpret your results."
Lee Know and I lock eyes over the boys' heads and smile. I try to ignore the little flutter in my chest.
"Now boys, clean this up and get ready. I have a feeling Ms. (YLN) has something special planned for your first day together."
"You're leaving? But it's a Saturday!"
"I know, but I have to take care of a work emergency. I'm leaving you in very capable hands though, so be good, okay?"
"We'll try...but that's all we can promise!"
The twins throw their arms around Lee Know's waist...soaking his clothes completely in milk and soda.
"Starting now!"
I step forward and put a hand on Lee Know's shoulder.
"I've got this. You change and go."
"Thanks, (Y/N). Call if you need anything."
I nod as Lee Know leaves, then I turn back to the boys. "I know you're bummed your dad has to leave, but if you clean up fast enough, we can go to the coolest place in the city...the planetarium!"
"Mickey, I've got the counter! You get the floor!"
Later, Carter drops me and the boys off outside of the planetarium.
"Thanks for driving us, Carter. I'm not sure how long we're going to be..."
"It's no matter, Ms. (YLN). Just call me when you're ready."
"I will-- Wait, Mickey, no don't touch that!" I hurry after the twins, steeling myself for a long afternoon... Over the next few hours, I lead the boys through the various exhibits, doing my best to explain the science along the way.
"But how can the Milky Way be one hundred thousand light years across?"
"Well, a light year is actually a measurement of distance. It's how far light can travel in a year."
"It takes a hundred thousand years for light to travel across the Milky Way?"
"Cooooool... I'm starving!"
"I stashed some Toaster Tarts in my pockets..."
"Mickey! You know your dad doesn't let you eat those. Where'd you even get them?"
"It's a secret. Besides, he lets us eat them on special occasions! And isn't our first day together the most special-est occasion of all?"
I hesitate, remembering all the times I ate Toaster Tarts as a kid. "...Fine. But just this once!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The twins wolf down the Toaster Tarts, grinning the whole time. A moment later my phone buzzes.
"A text from your dad?"
"Don't tell him about the Toaster Tarts!"
I smile as I open the message.
LEE KNOW:
-How's it going? Are the boys behaving for you?
ME:
-Both kids are still alive, so...
-Better than my last gig :)
LEE KNOW:
-I suppose that's on me for not running a more extreme background check.
ME:
-Seriously though, M&M are having a great time.
-No need to worry about us.
LEE KNOW:
-Thank you, (Y/N). That puts my mind at ease.
-See you at home tonight.
I put my phone away and turn back to the boys, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing Lee Know at home.
"So boys, why don't we look at the Saturn exhibit next--" Just then, my phone vibrates in my pocket again. That can't be Lee Know again, can it?
JENNY:
-So I know you said to drop it.
-But here are the deets on Lee Know's fiancee!!!
-Sofia Russo, 33, daughter of ANOTHER billionaire entrepreneur.
ME:
-I can't deal with this right now.
JENNY:
-Sure you don't wanna know there's no confirmation about the engagement? From her OR Lee Know??
ME:
-...What does that mean?
JENNY:
-You tell me, you actually know the man.
-OMG or ask the twins! I bet they know alllll the juicy gossip.
ME:
-GOODBYE JENNY
Even though my phone continues to buzz repeatedly from Jenny's torrent of texts, I put it away and turn back to the boys.
"I'm bored! This dumb museum is boring!" I think fast, feeling a tantrum coming on...
I bet Mickey would love a more hands-on experience...I could take them to Central Park to check out the actual night sky and get some major nanny points. Plus, if I put them in a good mood, the boys might just answer my questions about Lee Know's mysterious fiancée...
"You're right, Mickey. All this museum stuff can get kinda boring after a whole day."
"But--Wait, really?"
"Absolutely! What if we check out the real thing? We can go to Central Park and try to find all the stuff we learned about today in the night sky."
"Awesome!"
After a short walk, the three of us stretch out together in the grass of Central Park, searching the sky for constellations. "I think that one is Orion right there."
"I found one the dippers!" Mickey shouts "Big or little?" Mason asks. "Well, it looks pretty little from here..." Mickey replies. After a few more minutes of staring up at the sky, I turn to the boys.
"Hey, I have a question for you..." I clear my throat and try to think of the best way to word it.
"Ooh, I have a question! What is the oldest a bug can be?"
"Mm, termites live about fifteen years if I remember my bio class correctly. Though, termite queens can be fifty."
"My next! How fast is the fastest second grader?"
"Get out your watch and I'll show you!" Mason challenged Mickey.
I laugh as the twins stick out their tongues at each other. "Okay. My turn. Does your father ever have girls over? Maybe girls in pretty dresses?" The twins roll their eyes in unison.
"Yeah, that's Aunt Sofia." Mickey answers.
"She thinks she's so fancy! All she cares about are her nails." Mason adds.
"She pats us on the head when she sees us, like we're puppies."
"I'm pretty sure she thinks we're just Dad's dogs. That would explain a lot because she never talks to us."
"Oh, I'm sure that's not true..." I begins to say but am cut off by Mickey. "One time we accidently used all her face cream, and she cried."
" 'Accidentally'?"
"We needed a collagen for an experiment! It said it would 'plump' and 'illuminate', so we painted a lot of stuff with it." Mason explains.
"It didn't plump or illuminate anything." I tried to keep a straight face...but the mental picture is too much.
"Is that so?" I cough and change the subject. "When did Aunt Sofia first meet your dad?"
"I think when they were, like our age?" Mickey says unsure.
"Before we were born, for sure. She's always been around."
"But Dad didn't call Sofia his girlfriend until, I don't know, last Christmas?"
"Yeah, something like that. It wasn't that long ago."
"Wow. I guess things developed quickly." The twins look at each other, seeming confused. "So...is your dad in love?"
"Gross! No way!" Mickey shouts.
"Yeah, we don't even see Aunt Sofia that much."
"We've never even caught them kissing!" Mickey says as both boys make a disgusted face.
I look at both boys curious about their father and Sofia. "Interesting."
"Why're you asking anyway, (Y/N)?" Mason asks suspiciously.
"Oh, I just, uh...saw something on the internet about them and was curious. But it's obviously just gossip. Hey, is that constellation Gemini?" I quickly change the subject.
"Which one? They're twins too!"
I distract the boys by pointing out more stars, but my mind is elsewhere.
Does that mean Lee Know and Sofia aren't getting married?... Or just that they haven't told anyone yet?
Finally, I stand up and motion for the boys to follow me.
"It's getting late... We should start heading back. I'll call Carter." I dial the driver, but get no answer... I try again, and again, and again.
Crap. Time for plan B...
I attempt to hail a taxi, but the few that pass by ignore my desperate attempts to get them to stop.
"(Y/N), I'm getting cold."
"I know, Mason, but Carter isn't answering, and I can't get a bac, and-- Now my phone just died too."
"Carter's probably driving Dad home right now. Why don't we just take the subway? We haven't done that in forever." Mickey states.
"Well, your dad said we weren't really suppose to..."
But it's already dark out and cold as hell. I'll try to hail a cab one last time...
When the fifth taxi ignores me again, I sigh, take the boys' hands, then start toward the nearest station. "Yeah! Sub-way! Sub-way!" Soon, the three of us are settled in our seats, and the rush of the subway car carrying us home lulls us into a quiet contentment. I try not to smile as I overhear the boys whispering to each other.
"See? I told you she was way cooler than our other nannies."
"We'll see. Maybe you just got lucky."
Let's hope our luck continues when we get home and Lee Know doesn't catch us fresh off the subway.
By the time I slip into the penthouse with the boys, it's almost their bedtime, but they run to greet their dad in the living room.
"Oh my God Dad, today was awesome! I saw a hologram star implode!" Mason shouts in excitement.
"And I found Venus over Central Park!" Mickey joins in.
"Plus we saw a shooting star and made a wish!"
"Sounds like you had a wonderful time with (Y/N)." Lee Know smiles at the boys.
"Oh yeah, she's the best!"
"Well, I don't know about all that..." I say with a shy smile.
"High praise for the first day."
"But the best part was when we got to ride the subway home! It. Was. Awesome!"
Lee Know's eyes snap over to me, his expression darkening as he realizes I broke one of his rules. "Is that so?"
"Wow, look at how late it is. We should be heading to bed! Come on, boys!" I lead the twins down the hall before Lee Know has a chance to respond. Half an hour later, after the boys are tucked in, I know I have to face the music. Lee Know waits in the kitchen, drumming his fingers against the countertop in the meanwhile.
"What makes you think you can break my rules, (Y/N)?"
"I don't think that. It was an accident!"
"It's not any better if you 'accidently' endangered my children."
In spite of my efforts, my heart pumps harder, and my voice raises. "It's just the subway, Lee Know. And I made a judgement call! What was I suppose to do? Camp out at the damn park?"
"You could've called me. You can always call me. I would've found a way to get you back home safely."
"Lee Know...we are back home safely." I reach out to touch his arm, but he pulls away from me and begins to pace.
"That's not the point! You could've gotten hurt. You have no idea how much pressure I'm under (Y/N). The last thing I need is to worry about Mason and Mickey and you."
"...You were worried about me?"
"Of course I was! What, do you think I'm some heartless monster? Maybe this arrangement was hasty..."
"What? No! I've already bonded with the boys!"
"Yes, apparently over disobeying me. You can understand why I wouldn't want to encourage that."
"That's not what happened, and you know it. You're just being stubborn."
I step forward, clenching my hands at my side. True to form, Lee Know doesn't back down. He towers over me, his gaze traveling over my face, lingering on my lips.
"I'm being stubborn? What about you, (Y/N)?"
My breath catches in my throat. My gaze wanders to his lips just inches away. The heat between us intensifies, even without touching, and I can feel the magnetic pull toward his body... I slink my fingers around Lee Know's neck, drawing his lips to mine in a kiss that starts long and deep, as if we've already been kissing for hours...as if I can barely stand to just kiss anymore... His arms wrap around me and pull me close, his touch like a wildfire under my clothes. I feel like I have to strip down or I'll spontaneously combust. My fingers thread through his hair as my lips part, tongue tangling with his...until he suddenly pulls away and steps back, chest heaving.
"(Y/N)..."
"Don't talk...just feel."
I step closer, feeling reckless and alive. Planting my hands on Lee Know's shoulder, I walk him swiftly back against the counter until his hips are pressed between it...and me.
"What are you doing, (Y/N)?"
"Just learning all the ins and outs of Lee Min-ho. That's what you want me to do, right?"
I run my hands down Lee Know's body, relishing the way he breaths and the fire in his eyes. As my hands snake lower, I feel how much he wants me through his clothes. We're welded to each other in the embrace for a minute or two before Lee Know suddenly pulls away, disheveled and confused.
"...We can't do this."
Taking Lee Know's hand, I delicately kiss a finger, skimming my tongue over the tip.
"(Y/N)..."
"If that's what you want... Tell me to go to my room and lay down in my bed. Tell me not to toss and turn all night long. Tell me not to touch myself, thinking of you..."
Lee Know groans, collapsing against me and ravaging my mouth with his. His tongue dances with mine, pressing himself closer against my body. When he finally pulls away, I'm dizzy and drunk on his natural scent.
"Say it, Lee Know. I want to hear it. You want me."
Lee Know's lust-fogged eyes rove over me, and he bites his lip, shaking his head with chagrin. "I want you."
"How badly?"
"So badly that being this close to you makes me feel like an animal."
I stroke a finger over Lee Know's chest, not stopping until I tug his chin toward me.
"An animal? You?"
"You have no idea."
My lips find his ear, my words moaning with desire. "Then show me." I lean in for another kiss, but Lee Know's arms, I feel overheated and over dressed. Swallowing hard, I loosen my top and take Lee Know's hands, guiding them underneath. The feel of his fingers against me brings my eyelashes to flutter and my head to lull.
"Touch me, Lee Know..."
"Let me make you feel good."
Lee Know's fingertips skate over my breasts, and I arch my back, encouraging his hands. They slip beneath my bra and graze my taut nipples.
"Yes..."
"(Y/N)..."
The Sound of a cell phone ringing breaks through the fog.
"Crap!"
The two of us spring apart and quickly adjust our clothes and hair. He walks over to the counter to check the number and grimaces.
"I have to take this.
Lee Know's body language is tense as he reaches for the phone. Just before he grabs it, I manage to make out the name flashing on the screen...Sofia Russo.
Right. His fiancée.
Lee Know crosses the room toward his office to take the call, his back turned to me.
"Can we talk when you get back?"
"I...don't think that would be a good idea."
"Lee Know, don't say that. You can't just--"
"Goodnight, (Y/N)."
I sigh and sink down to the floor as he leaves the room.
I am in deep trouble...